January 9th – Cahors, France – An epic partnership between David Milligan Selections and Chateau Lagrézette is underfoot in the United States. Husband-wife duo Alex Milligan, President, and Julie Milligan, Chief Operating Officer, are excited to breathe new life into the legendary Chateau with a fresh take on luxury wine marketing. The Milligan team will start by bringing in Seigneur de Grézette ($25 retail) and Chateau Lagrézette ($60 retail), with more to come down the line. These two French Malbecs are gorgeous expressions of the magic Lagrézette works in Cahors behind the keen eye of proprietor Alain Dominique Perrin. Chateau Lagrézette is a testament to the vision of Alain Dominique Perrin—the winery represents the intersection of craftsmanship and tradition he is so well-versed in as the man who reinvented modern luxury and as a renowned art collector.
About the Wines
Seigneur de Grézette means “lord of the manor,” a nod to the noble families that resided at Lagrézette for over five centuries. 100 percent Malbec, the grapes are sourced from silt-clay/gravel vineyards on the second terrace leading up from the Lot River Valley.
Aged for six months in stainless steel, the resulting wine is a deep purple color. Ripe and open, aromas of black fruits, violet and white flowers abound. Structured, modern and elegant, expressive cherry and candied blackberry notes lead to a lingering finish. Wine Enthusiast Magazine gave the 2016 vintage a rating of 91, saying, “Seigneur means lord of the manor, yet this is a modern, smooth style of Malbec. It’s packed with fruit as much as tannins. Rich berry flavors laced with crisp acidity yield a wine that is poised and elegant.”
Chateau Lagrézette is the flagship wine of the estate. The grapes are sourced from 30-year-old estate vines on the third terrace of the Caillac vineyard above the Lot River – in the historic Cahors wine region of France. The Caillac vineyard surrounds the ancient Lagrézette castle and spans 148 acres (60 hectares).
Exhibiting an intense, saturated ruby color, Chateau Lagrézette offers opulent favors of small red fruits with beautifully integrated oak components – layered with vanilla and licorice. Overall, a well-mastered, well-defined wine. Complexity, a long finish, and great aging potential are hallmarks of this signature wine of the estate.
This bottling has been awarded a plethora of accolades. The 2015 vintage received a 92 from Wine Enthusiast, 90 from Jeb Dunnuck, 92 from Wine Spectator, 91 from Wine Advocate, and a 17 from Jancis Robinson. Jeb Dunnuck says it is “rock solid as well as a great introduction to modern wines from Cahors,” and the Jancis Robinson report written by Tamlyn Currin emphasizes, “this is the very essence of Cahors Malbec.”
The 2016 vintage has earned a 91 from Jeb Dunnuck, 92 from Wine Enthusiast, 92 from Wine Advocate, 90 from Wine Spectator, and a 16+ from Jancis Robinson. Jeb Dunnuck calls it an “unquestionably outstanding wine.” The 2017 vintage has been awarded an Editor’s Choice and a rating of 92 from Wine Enthusiast.
About Alex and Julie Milligan
Truly a wine visionary, Alex Milligan is behind many celebrated wine estates. Starting his wine journey in 2004, Milligan worked his way up the ranks at the famed Sherry-Lehmann wine shop in Manhattan. He then joined his father at David Milligan Selections in 2006 in a sales capacity. His keen eye for the inner workings of the wine industry catapulted him to the position of president he holds now. Since 2018, his role as president has brought David Milligan Selections to new heights, with the media taking notice. That same year Alex was named 40 under 40 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. His wife, Julie Milligan, joined the family-import company in 2018 after a decade spent scooting up the ladder in NYC’s content world to work alongside him on brand-building and press outreach. Together, they have expanded their import company’s reach to include new states and distributor partners, as well as new French wineries. Today, the couple imports more than 50 fine wines from more than 17 winery partners and their wines are distributed in 33 states. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for the Milligans and Lagrézette!
About Alain Dominique Perrin
Known globally as the passionate and dedicated proprietor of Lagrézette, M. Perrin has devoted monumental energy towards the restoration of Chateau Lagrézette. Paramount to this end has been the replanting program, vineyard expansion and exacting maintenance of its spectacular vines. His wines, which are at once powerful, generous, elegant and refined, are the expression of a profound love of the region, of its art of living, culture and traditions.
Alain Dominique Perrin is also an emblematic figure in the world of luxury, notably the man responsible for the renaissance and development of Cartier International. Today he continues to preside over the destiny of the Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art in Paris as President. M. Perrin created the Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art in 1984 with good friend and renowned sculptor César.
In 2004, the French Minister for Culture nominated him President of the Public Establishment of the Jeu de Paume, dedicated to art and photography. M. Perrin is a member of the International Board of the Tate Gallery (London). He is also Commander of the Légion d’Honneur, Commander of the National Order of Merit, Commander of Arts and Letters, and Officer of Agricultural Merit. His five children are all involved in different sectors of his empire — many helping to expand the world of Lagrézette.
